What They Don't Know

Carter

I was scared to say the least. I thought about the many possible outcomes of the scenario I was faced with. If I refused, he could pull the trigger and immediately end me. If I said my name, he could be working with a group of the bandits and decide capture me & probably enslave me.
Maybe, just maybe if I played my cards right, I could end up with the gun on his head.
That seemed to be my best and safest option.
"Look, I'm Not Looking For Trouble.." I began.
I tried to sound confident and strong, but my voice shook.
My act wasn't working, he clicked his finger hardly onto the trigger.
".. My Names Riley. For Gods Sake" I spat out, almost chocking on my words.
The boy thought for a second, but soon after he pulled the gun away from my head. However, he didn't let go of my arms.
"Why Are You In My Base?"
He spoke at me, almost in disgust and pity.
"Your Base? I'm Sorry What?"
My speech sounded slightly sarcastic, I had hoped he didn't pick up on it.
"I've Been Here For Almost 4 Months Now. It's My Base."
"I Didn't See You When I Came Here The Other Day."
"You Didn't Look"
I had no reply. It was true, I hadn't checked all the small places and gaps, but I didn't think a person would be hiding out in them.
"..I'm, I'm Sorry For Intruding."
I sounded weak, I felt weak too. I just wanted to leave and forget what had just happened.
"Please Let Me Go. I Won't Tell AnyOne You're Here, Promise."
I was close to tears. I knew that I was standing on thin ice & that I had to leave before night fall.
"I'm Carter"
He let go of my arms and backed away from my kneeling body.
I rubbed my wrists painfully and brushed back my dark, wild hair out of my red and sweaty face.
"Please.. Stay The Night. It's Not Safe Out After Dark."
As I continued to catch my breath, he moved out of the room and down the hall way.
"What The Heck Was That"
I whispered to myself and pulled myself off of the floor. Brushing down my clothes, I heard Carter shuffling around in the room beside me.
I didn't want to follow him, or find out what he was doing, I already felt awkward enough sitting inside a strangers base.
It had been a while before Carter showed up in the door frame.
He was holding a tray, it looked like it held plates of food and two pairs utensils.
I stared up at him as he walked carefully over to where I sat on the bed.
Carter had thick, lose and curly hair. His dark chocolate brown eyes seemed to shine in the light that peeped through the windows.
He sat beside me, but still keeping his distance. I could tell he felt as awkward as he looked. His leg was bouncing nervously as he laid the tray between us.
"I Uh, Brought You Some Food.. If You're Hungry."
He looked at me, hopefully.
"Thanks. Where Did You Get This?"
The food that he had given me was newly cooked and smelt fresh. It was a plate of pasta and tomato sauce with grated cheese. I hadn't eaten, or even seen food like this since Georgia use to cook for me.
"When It All.. Started, My Parents Stocked Up On Foods."
He seemed uncomfortable.
"Sorry, I Didn't Mean To Bring It Up. I'm, I'm Sorry"
He smiled at me, he almost even chuckled.
"So, I Guess We Should Small Talk..How Old Are You Riley?"
When he said my name I felt warm inside, I felt wanted.
"Small Talk Eh? Well, I'm 16 This Year I Think."
"I'm 16 This Year Too. Coincidence?"
He winked at me as I shoved a fork full of food into my mouth.
It made my stomach growl loudly, wanting more.
"Do You Have Any Hobbies? You Know, Beside Intruding Homes & Almost Getting Killed?"
He smirked at me, causing me to giggle lightly.
"Hm I Don't Know, Intruding Other People's Homes & Almost Dying Is What I Do To Pass A lot Of Time"
He shook his head and looked at the ground. I ate another scoop of pasta and dripped some down my chin without realising.
When Carter moved his eyes to look at me, I could see a smile stretch across his face.
"Is Another Hobby Of Yours Dripping Food All Over Yourself?"
He reached his hand over to my face & used his thumb to wipe off the sauce that had ran down my chin & was almost dripping. His hands were unexpectedly warm and soft.
I covered my face,embarrassed. Nice Riley, intruded a persons home, talked back & dripped sauce down yourself all in a day, I tell myself.
"I Like Drawing, And Creating Things I Guess"
"I Thought So. You Look Like The Artsy Kind."
I shoot him a cheap smile.
"Okay Mr.Know It All. My Turn To Ask The Questions"
I put the tray onto the ground away from the bed. He sat back relaxed.
"Ask Away"
I thought for a while. I hadn't thought he'd actually let me ask him, he looked like the reserved type.
"What Did You Want To Be. Before, All Of.. This Broke Out?"
Carter didn't answer for a few minutes, his smile had dropped and he was in deep thought.
"I Wanted To Be An Astronaut. Now, Before You Laugh At Little Carters Dreams, I Have My Reasons"
"Carter, I Wasn't Going To Make Fun Of You."
He looked genuinely surprised.
"You Weren't?"
I shook my head. He laid back on to the bed & I joined him, keeping my distance.
"My Dad Was An Astronaut"
He began.
Carter didn't speak after that, instead we just looked up at the ceiling which was lit by the dim moonlight.
This was our routine for the next few days too. Eat and talk, lay beside each other and joke, then we'd relax under the window. It wasn't very exciting but it was sort of our normality. Each night their would be a new topic of discussion. Sometimes it was Aliens, then it'd be careers, after that it was conspiracy theories and Ect.
Carter wasn't so bad after all.